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Wilbur Johnson Obituary

Wilbur C. "Joe" Johnson Augusta Wilbur C. "Joe" Johnson went out on the wing of a Canada goose and was escorted to his next Sanctuary as two flocks of honking Canada geese crossed paths over Joe's room at Rose Arbor Hospice on Tuesday afternoon, October 9, 2012. Joe, the son of the late Wilbur "Whip" and Madgle (Wiersema) Johnson was born November 16, 1941. A lifetime resident of Kalamazoo, Joe graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1959, and received a B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Michigan State University in 1964 and 1967 respectively. A certified Wildlife Biologist whose interests focused primarily on waterfowl and wetlands, Joe retired from MSU's W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in 2007 after 48 years, serving as the Manager since 1985. He lectured to thousands of children, students, educators and members of the community on wildlife, habitat preservation, and species restoration. Joe served his community as President of the Gull Lake Water Quality Association, the Four Township Water Resource Council, Inc and the South Central Pheasants Forever. He was also member of Ducks Unlimited and Ruffed Grouse Society. Joe recently retired after 16 years from the National Board of Directors of Pheasants Forever, a large non-profit organization. Joe wrote and implemented a restoration plan for Trumpeter Swan for the State of Michigan and has been the State's Trumpeter Swan restoration coordinator ever since. Since 1987, Joe was the Chairman of the Mississippi Flyway Council Technical Section Swan Committee and was part of the team that wrote the Mississippi and Central Flyways Technical Section Plan for the Trumpeter Swan. Joe involved the Sanctuary with the Michigan Trumpeter Swan restoration project which brought a nearly extinct waterfowl population back to one of its native habitats. Passionate about his work and hunting, Joe's diverse talents lead him to be involved in conducting training workshops for the Michigan DNR Frog and Toad Survey, and was the primary biologist in controlling an over abundant White Tailed Deer population on the Kellogg Biological Station property. Joe also conducted research throughout the years that led to better management of waterfowl, and was instrumental in the successful return of the Giant Canada goose to Michigan. Banding tens of thousands of waterfowl in his lifetime, not only increased the knowledge of these birds, but help inspire hundreds of hunters and students into their own lifelong passions for the natural world. Both during his career and his retirement Joe received numerous awards of distinction, including the Miles D Pirnie Memorial Award, the Natural Resources Commission and Department of Natural Resources Partner on Conservation Award, and the Max Sonneville "Visionary Award." Surviving is his wife Anita, two daughters, Kimi (Roger) Funk of Laguna Niguel, CA and Kele Griffiths of Roseville, CA and grandchildren, Nolan and Emma Funk and Elizabeth, Alexandra and Catherine Griffiths. A private, memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joe Johnson Endowment Fund for Wildlife Conservation, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, 3700 East Gull Lake Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060 or Rose Arbor Hospice, 5473 Croyden Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel is in charge of all of the arrangements. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Joe may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com

Published by Battle Creek Enquirer on Oct. 14, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Although we didn't see as much of each other as I would have liked, I thought of you often. I always admired you and was proud to call you my Uncle. Rest in peace Uncle Joe.

Art Martin

November 1, 2012

I knew Joe initially through my grandfather Ted Halbert. Joe was a treasure for the area and true advocate of birds. I have been delighted to watch his efforts with Trumpeter swans bring the beautiful native birds populations back. That's true passion and impact.

Lisa Halbert

October 26, 2012

Joe was always a big help to Kalamazoo County Government. As Director of Parks and Animal Control Departments I used Joe and KBS as a very valuable tool to improve services to community.

BoB Gregersen

October 26, 2012

Joe, Harry and I went grouse hunting when none of us had a dog. Joe said OK Bill you can be our Lab. Walk that Hawthorne Ridge (they'll be feeding up there. Harry take the west side, I'll take the east side. Oh, Bill don't just wag or point, bark so we know when they are coming. We all got birds that day. (I got 2 before I barked). Whenever I was around Joe, I always learned something new. I'll miss him.

Joe and I also did a yearly workshop at Kellogg Bird Sanctuary about bluebirds, house building and bird feeding. Joe thanks for your input.
Bill

William (Bill) Stovall

October 22, 2012

Joe's great direction over the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary made a lasting impact on so many KBS graduate students who lived in the back of the Bird Sanctuary, on apartments overlooking Wintergreen Lake. Some of us from foreign countries were introduced to American folklore through Joe Johnson's wonderful Game Dinners -- we and the many students we have taught with the help of great Bird Sanctuary late night stories will miss this great naturalist.

Carmen Cid

October 22, 2012

Words dont really describe the admiration and respect I had for Joe. As a young man growing up and hunting around the Gull Lake area, he was always the go to guy if you had questions about wildlife or it's habitat, or habits.. Godspeed Joe, and good hunting..

Todd Noble

October 17, 2012

On the wings of an angel/canadian goose...

Dawn & Allen Parr

October 17, 2012

Joe brought a smile to my face every time he called the Sanctuary and asked to speak to one of us "rascals." I only knew him briefly but I am so glad to have met him. And so grateful for the extraordinary love he had for nature.

Alison Black

October 16, 2012

Joe was a great teacher and an inspiration to all aspiring biologists who had the honor to meet, learn from, and work with Joe; even if for a short time. He carefully instructed when improvement was necessary, and complimented when deserved (which, coming from him, was a huge confidence boost!). There's no way he could have remembered every one of us who were influenced by him at one point or another, but all of us will remember and miss him.

Kristin Bissell

October 16, 2012

I will miss Joe being a phone call away, he has answered countless questions about the Sanctuary and waterfowl care as I have settled into my role as Sanctuary manager. Joe, I will miss you but your memory will remain in the geese, ducks and swans that populate Wintergreen Lake!

Kara Haas

October 15, 2012

My "brother" my friend. I was always so proud of him and his accomplishments. I will truly miss him.

Gail Kolk

October 14, 2012

Joe was my boss for many years at the Bird Santuary. I repected him and loved him like a father. He will be dearly missed by many. I know he is in heaven with all of his birds. Love you, Joe.

Crystal Lee

October 12, 2012

Joes passing is a great loss for those that cherish and love waterfowl, especially Trumeter swans and Canada geese. I will forever cherish the many hours we spent banding geese, setting up the first deer hunts at KBS and checking in the harvested deer at KBS. Naturally there were also the hunting trips, educational classses and establishing the Pheasant Forever chapter in Kalamazoo. Joe was a great friend, a trusted college and an inspiring mentor. He will be missed most as a friend.

Mike Bailey

October 11, 2012

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